Ron Paul: End Marijuana Prohibition Now!

Transcript

Larry Kudlow: This story coming out of Washington has lit up Twitter and Facebook. Congressman Ron Paul and Barney Frank will be introducing a bill to end marijuana prohibition. A short time ago, Texas Republican Ron Paul spoke with me about exactly what he’s advocating. Take a listen.

Ron Paul: Well, removing it from the jurisdiction of the federal government and allowing the states to regulate it, like they would alcohol. And this seems to be strange for a lot of people, but I’m only going back to 1937 when that’s the way it was handled. The states always did this, and I’m motivated strongly also because the states legalize it for the use of medicinal purposes and it is helpful to people who have cancer or are getting chemotherapy. So this is not a huge radical idea, it’s something that was legal for a long, long time. And the war against marijuana causes so much hardship and accomplishes nothing. So I would say that marijuana, as far as causing highway problems, is miniscule compared to alcohol, and yet we knew prohibition of alcohol was very bad. So this is just getting back to a sensible position on how we handle difficult problems. And, for me, it should be the states.

Larry Kudlow: Alright, let the states regulate, yes, I agree with that, that’s a free market position, it’s a 10th Amendment position. Mr. Paul, in one of the debates, though, you came out for the legalization of marijuana and heroin. Is that still your view?

Ron Paul: Well, you know, I’ve never used the word heroine in my life when I talked about legalizing freedom of choice. And that one, too, was once legal and I concluded that argument and they sort of got the point when I said when they were making a big deal, your freedom philosophy means somebody could use heroine. I said, “You know, if tomorrow we legalize, how many of you in this audience would you heroine? Of course, nobody would.” So it’s a moot point, it’s how you regulate things and whether or not this trillion dollars we spend on the war on drugs … really since the early 1970s, the modern day war on drugs started with Richard Nixon and it’s a catastrophe, just as the prohibition was a catastrophe. So yes, they’re regulations for children and the way the states want to handle it. But, you know, it’s sort of like saying, “I believe in the first amendment”, and they say, “Oh, that means you’re pro-pornography”, or something like that. It’s ridiculous. Permitting something to happen does not mean that you authorize it or endorse it, it’s not an endorsement of what people do.

Larry Kudlow: Do you worry, sir? I mean, look, I’m recovering alcoholic and drug abuser. I’m coming after 16 years, with God’s grace. Do you worry, sir, that this opens the door to more drug use, sets the wrong example, sends the wrong single? It’s an honest question on my part, do you ever worry about that? You yourself are a doctor..

Ron Paul: No, because I think it’s much worse because kids today have an easier time finding marijuana than they can alcohol. And how many cases of drug addiction were prevented by the laws? Do the laws really do it? Would putting you in prison for about 5 years, do you think that would have helped you? Would that have cured you? No, this is a medical problem, it’s not a legal problem. You shouldn’t be a criminal because you have a problem with drugs. So I just don’t think putting you in prison would have been helpful at all.

Larry Kudlow: Alright, well, I did it through a faith-based self help program, but I appreciate your point of view.

Ron Paul: The market, Larry, that’s the market way of taking care of a problem.

Larry Kudlow: I guess I do. I want to agree with you on why the states should have the jurisdiction on this and so many other things. I think that’s exactly the right position.

Ron Paul: We should be very consistent.

Larry Kudlow: I got to go. Congressman Paul, you’re terrific for helping us out tonight, I appreciate it.

I didn’t say it can cure cancer, so you can re-read my comment to verify that. How would me using marijuana affect my argument that it actively reduces swelling, pain, and inflammation? Also, Marijuana is not, and never will be considered a Narcotic. Maybe you should read up on drugs/drug laws before starting your bullshit tirades on Youtube, because nearly everything you’ve said so far is most certainly wrong. The waste of life part really made me giggle though. Thanks for the chuckle

Hah retard it can’t cure cancer. I am right and since you do drugs and haven’t yet attempted to go clean, your arguement is irrelevant. Even if it was relevant you would still be wrong. It is a narcotic and it’s worthless. No one needs it. All it does is makes you a lazy waste of life

I swear, you must be fucking retarded. You think that you are ‘right’ because you claim people use it to get high rather than to treat illnesses like cancer or surgery pain. If you had ANY formal training on brain mechanims, than you’d see that marijuana is actually one of the least dangerous pain-killing substances; harboring major medical potential. It’s small minded assholes like you that vote to keep chemotherapy patients in pain.

Actually, video games do much of the same things to the Brain as cocaine does, and result in much more aggressive behavior than marijuana, so in short; no, video games are not ‘healthier’ than weed. Video games, gambling, cheating, and stealing all provide a more addictive high than Marijuana, and I’m sure you’ve participated in all 4 of them before.

By the way, there is such a thing as a reply button, of course, unless you’re afraid of being proven wrong.

even tho this isnt happening in my country(one of the strictes rules on drugs even seeds is illegal here in norway) i know usa got a huge affect on the rules of the rest of the world, mostly through media, i want to get rid of alcohol and replace with marijuana to be honest i mostly want it cause 1: the Taste 2: Hangover 3:loss appetite and that causes mild depression cause you dont eat much for some days depends on how much you drank 🙂 sry for the bad english.

how does what he’s saying not make sense to you. Are you so infantile, that you need the government to tell you not to stick heroine in your arm? Btw he’s not out of the election. Either you’re being paid to troll these videos or you’re gullible enough to believe whatever the mainstream media tells you to believe. Wake up.

Hey, SHUT THE FUCK UP! What is this about brainwashing? What in the actual fuck??? Are you people retarded?!?! Take a minute and think with your small brains and realize that if you legalize marijuana that it won’t brainwash everybody and everyone isn’t going to be high all the time! It’s like saying “if you legalize alcohol it will brainwash the kids! And everyone will always be drunk! No one on the road will be safe!!!!!!!” no wait shut the fuck up for a second not everyone is going to drink

ConnorC

Heres my opinon,

1. All the people that are using foul language and tryingto hurt others eith your words callIng them a waste of life are the ones agianst pot. (so far smokers 1 non smokers zip)

2. Saying pot makes you and unable to be a success? Im a bussinessman an i make 6 figures and live in a large mansion with lots of property and i have a lovng and supportive family. SOUNDS SUCCESSFUL TO ME! And guess what…I am a medical marijuana patiet and it has helped me in many, many ways

( smokers 2 non smokers 0 )

3. And three millions if not billions are spent every year on keeping pot illegal and arresting innocent smokers, if it was a legal substance not just would that money be able to be put towards something beneficial like health care or food stampts or maybe our schools but millions if not billions would be brought in from taxes that would be put on it.

9:14 am: "ooo wow nice attempt at a ad hom! Did the reds steal the election from you? Where is McCarthy when you need him? Am I right?" - JBrown

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